Private firm will explore feasibility of Discovery Center for T.O.
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Some people hope to see an 8,000-square-foot theater and planetarium, a 25,000squarefoot permanent exhibition area and 15,000 square feet for traveling and temporary exhibits rise up on the two acres between the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and The Lakes shopping center.

Whether or not it will ever happen will depend on a report written after Lord Cultural Services of Canada finishes a feasibility study.

The City Council last week commissioned the firm to conduct interviews with potential donors to gain feedback and provide suggestions for how the plans for the Discovery Center for Science and Technology could most likely be funded.

The firm will review background information and conduct market research.

In addition, the consultant will study how other similar science centers obtain federal and state funds, according to a city staff report.

The report is expected about six weeks after orientation meetings and workshops conclude. When the report is finished, the city and the Discovery Center will decide whether to continue with a business plan.

Payment for the $108,000 study will be split 50-50 by the city and the Discovery Center.

It will cost an estimated $49 million to build and equip the Discovery Center for enriching the lives of more than 1 million children, families and educators, according to Wayne Davey, president of the Discovery Center, a nonprofit group.

If the estimated $49-million project proceeds, the Civic Arts Plaza might get a new name- the Civic Arts and Science Plaza.

The structure's emphasis would encourage children and adults to think about science in new ways. It's expected to feature state-of-the-art programs in its classrooms, workshops, theater and exhibits.

The center is expected to cost about $24.5 million. Exhibits are budgeted at $10.8 million. The theater and planetarium are expected to cost about $3.5 million, as are the initial staffing and other startup costs. A $3.3million twostory parking structure is also planned, with the remaining proceeds going to other requirements for the center.

Discovery Center officials hope it will add about $21 million to $23 million annually to the local economy.